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You’re most-likely already aware that Africa is densely populated in wildlife. Some of the world’s most coveted wildlife species call Africa home. Luckily, many parts of the continent have been left untouched so as not to disturb the natural ecosystems, and preserve the life that live off the lands. One is able to visit these untouched regions and experience the movements, behaviour and instinctual characteristics of the wildlife in their natural habitat, which is incredibly heartwarming. Many people, in fact, come to Africa for this primary reason.

If you’re eager to embark on an enthralling safari adventure, and get up close and personal with the likes of: lion, leopard, elephant, giraffe and buffalo, to name a few, then you may want to pay close attention to this list of places to visit for an authentic African adventure, with wildlife encounters that are sure to leave you speechless.

Big Five Wildlife Encounters

Botswana is known for its abundance of wildlife, in fact, many people believe Botswana to be thee best place to go on a wildlife safari – yes, even trumping the Masai Mara and the Serengeti! This is largely attributed to Botswana’s Okavango Delta. The wet grasslands of the Delta attract millions of predators, mammals and gazelle, as this is one of the only areas in the country that don’t dry up over the dry season. Even though the Okavango Delta stretches across a few thousand kilometres, the area is densely populated in wildlife making it feel rather ‘small’; and giving visitors an almost 99% chance they’ll see plenty of different species, including the big five.

Another area in Botswana known for its wildlife is that of Chobe National Park; which is also water-filled almost year-round. Chobe attracts visitors who are eager to go on water safaris, and witness the wildlife drinking and bathing in the famous Chobe River.

Kenya’s exquisite Masai Mara is yet another region filled with various wildlife species. The Masai Mara is not only known for the amount of life that live off its vast grasslands, but it’s also home to one of the world’s most extraordinary natural spectacles: The Great Wildebeest Migration. While you’re sure to catch sight of lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo at any time of the year in the Mara; you’re also sure to see millions of wildebeest dart through the open plains over the months of August and September, and again in late November. Another extraordinary sighting is that of the river crossing during the migration – it’s a sight unlike anything you’ve seen before!

The Serengeti in Tanzania is one of the favourites when it comes to wildlife safaris. The Serengeti has been extensively documented on various wildlife channels, such as National Geographic, mainly because of the many predators that roam the plains, and of course the Great Wildebeest Migration. The golden hue of the grasslands is another reason why the Serengeti is a favourite; the plains practically light up and shine in the sunlight. Many visitors have also claimed that the Serengeti is the best place to witness exquisite African sunsets.

South Africa is rather built up; home to beautiful bustling cities such as Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg. However, just outside of Johannesburg lays the Kruger National Park, one of the most popular safari spots in Africa. Visitors certainly get more than they bargained for in this gorgeous corner of the continent, as there’s wildlife aplenty, as well as extraordinary activities on offer; from golf, to hot-air balloon flights and helicopter rides, to name a few.

The Etosha National Park is one of the only places in Namibia that one can enjoy an authentic African safari. Though Namibia is not necessarily known for its wildlife, Etosha is known not to disappoint. One of the main reasons for this is because the park is home to the big five, as well as cheetahs; which are usually an incredibly rare sighting in any other parts of Africa.

Mountain Gorilla Encounters

One of the most breathtaking wildlife encounters is that of the mountain gorillas in East Africa. While one can visit these beautiful creatures in Rwanda; Uganda is known to be the best place to embark on such an adventure as it’s much cheaper and easier to access. Uganda also has more variety, as one can either visit the gorillas of Bwindi National Park, Virunga or Murchison falls.